Memory access control for implementing protected memory regions

Abstract: A data processing system (10 or 28) and method uses a memory management unit (MMU 14). The processor has two privileged modes of operations, such as a user mode and a supervisor mode of operation. The MMU 14 has a first mode of operation wherein logical address translation is performed via cache accesses and tablewalks, and a second mode of operation. The second mode of operation involves providing translation attribute bits from one of either a first transparent translation register (TTR 16), a second transparent translation register (TTR 18), or a default location (22). The TTRs (16 and 18) can each map different address spaces and different addressed memory sizes and the default location (22) covers all memory that is not mapped by one of the TTRs (16 or 18). The default location (22) is programmable, provides write protection, and provides attribute bits independent from the privilege mode.

Description: Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to data processors which access memory, and more particularly, memory management units having transparent address translation registers. Background of the Invention Transparent translation registers of a memory management unit are used to translate logical addresses output by a central processing unit to a corresponding physical address in memory. (See, e.g., WO-A-88 02148 by Moyer). In such a memory management unit, to satisfy systems requiring the transparent mapping of several large areas of memory, it is sometimes necessary to provide memory access control over the remaining address space where the transparent translation registers do not map. This was accomplished in the past by a set of hardwired access control attribute bits stored within the memory management unit. This hardwired storage method has the one major disadvantage that it provides no flexibility, since the attribute bits are stored in a storage location fixed in the hardware and cannot be changed by a system user or programmer. Some systems incorporated a privilege-mode dependent mode of operation for the MMU to provide access control over the unmapped space. Specifically, in the Identity Translation Mode, access control is regulated by a set of four area descriptors wherein a first descriptor is used to control supervisor space instruction accesses, a second descriptor is used to control supervisor space operand accesses, a third descriptor is used to control user space instruction accesses, and a fourth descriptor is used to control user space operand accesses. This method has a major disadvantage in that it requires the segmenting of the logical address space into supervisor and user spaces since, the supervisor area descriptors cannot protect the supervisor space from unauthorized accesses by user programs. Another major disadvantage this method presents is that it requires a multiple number of registers to be configured by the programmer. General key protection methods for protecting information in a real storage unit are also known. (See, e.g., GB 2 248327 by Takahashi). Summary of the Invention The previously mentioned disadvantages are overcome and other advantages achieved with the present invention. In one form, the present invention comprises a method for providing memory access control in a data processing system wherein the data processing system has at least two processor privilege modes of operation. A logical address is provided to a memory management unit within the data processor. A portion of the logical address is selectively compared to a predetermined number of bits within a first transparent translation register. A first control signal is asserted if the portion of the logical address is equal to the predetermined number of bits of the first transparent translation register. A portion of the logical address is selectively compared to a predetermined number of bits within a second transparent translation register. A second control signal is asserted if the portion of the logical address is equal to the predetermined number of bits of the second transparent translation register. Attribute bits from the first transparent translation register, attribute bits from the second transparent translation register, or attribute bits from a default storage location are selected based upon either the first control signal or the second control signal. The default storage location provides attribute bits regardless of processor privilege mode. In another form, the invention comprises a data processor having a memory management unit with at least two modes of operation. One mode of operation being a normal mode of operation and a second mode of operation being a default mode of operation. In the normal mode, a logical address is translated into a physical address, whereas in the default mode the logical address is used as the physical address. The data processor having two privilege modes (user and supervisor modes, in one form) wherein the two privileged modes provide data protection. The data processor has circuitry for providing to the memory management unit a logical address. A first and second transparent translation register are functionally part of the memory management unit, and each contain write protection information to protect data in memory. Compare circuitry for receiving the logical address is located within the data processor. The compare circuitry is coupled to both the first transparent translation register and the second transparent translation register. The compare circuit compares a predetermined number of bits in the logical address to a predetermined number of bits in each of the first and second transparent translation registers and asserts a control signal if the predetermined number of bits in the logical address equal the predetermined number of bits in one of the first and second transparent translation register. The compare circuitry functions in the default mode of operation. A default storage location within the memory management unit is used for storing a plurality of control attribute bits. The default storage location has an output for providing the plurality of control attribute bits regardless of the privilege mode. The control attribute bits in the default storage location including write protection information used to protect data in memory when the first and second transparent translation registers do not provide write protection information. A selector circuit has a first input for receiving the write protection information from the first transparent translation register, has a second input for receiving the write protection information from the second transparent translation register, and has a third input coupled for receiving the write protection information from the default storage location. The selector circuit is coupled to the control signal wherein the control signal is used to determine the output of the selector circuit wherein the output of the selector circuit is the bits of one of either the first input, the second input, or the third input, to ensure write protection when the selector circuit is functioning in the default mode of operation. The present invention will be more clearly understood from the detailed description below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 illustrates, in a block diagram form, a data processing system in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates, in a block diagram form, another data processing system in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3 illustrates, in a flowchart, a method for providing memory access control in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 4 illustrates, in a block diagram form, a bit configuration of a transparent translation register (TTR) in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 5 illustrates, in a block diagram form, a bit configuration of a default attribute storage register in accordance with the present invention. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the FIGURES have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the FIGURES to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Description of a Preferred Embodiment Generally, the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for providing memory access control within a data processor. This is accomplished by performing a default address mapping of a logical address to a physical address during a normal memory access. The method begins by providing a privilege mode (supervisor or user) and a logical address to a memory management unit (MMU). A determination as to whether or not the privilege mode and the logical address match either the privilege mode and a block of logical addresses defined by a first transparent translation register (TTR) or the privilege mode and the block of logical addresses defined by a second transparent translation register is performed. A transparent mapping of the logical address during the memory access is performed by the first TTR if the first TTR is matched. If the second TTR is matched, and the first TTR is not matched, the transparent mapping of the logical address is performed by the second TTR. However, if neither TTR is matched, a default address translation is invoked and a set of access control bits stored in a default access control register are used for the access. The default access control register provides write protection via the storing of a write protection bit. The default access control register outputs attribute bits independent or without considering whether the user or supervisor mode is being utilized. Furthermore, the default access control register outputs attribute bits which may be altered or programmed by a system user or programmer. The present invention can be more fully understood with reference to FIGs. 1-5. FIG. 1 illustrates a system having a processor 10. The processor 10 has a pipeline unit 12 and a memory management unit (MMU) 14. Unit 12 is used to execute instructions within the processor 10. Unit 12 operates in one of two levels of privilege: supervisor mode or user mode. In general, the processor 10 may either be or include a microprocessor, a pipelined execution device, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) device, a programmable logic array (PLA), hard-wired logic, an execution unit at least partially software driven by microcode and/or nanocode, a plurality of execution devices, a digital signal processor (DSP), a computer, a data processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller unit (MCU) and/or the like. The principal function of MMU 14, within the processor 10, is to translate logical addresses provided by unit 12 to physical addresses using the translation circuitry in a normal mode of operation. The translation circuitry 11 may require address translation cache (ATC) accesses and/or tablewalks to perform the address translation in the normal mode of operation. In a default mode of operation, the translation circuitry 11 provides the logical address as the physical address (i.e. logical address bits equal the physical address bits) and the bus attribute bits are derived via circuitry illustrated in FIG. 1. As previously stated, the MMU 14 operates in one of two modes of operation: normal mode or default mode. The MMU 14 has a first transparent translation register (TTR) 16 and a second transparent translation register 18 which are used to define blocks of logical addresses to be used as physical addresses during normal memory accesses in the default or normal mode of operation. The TTRs are usually disabled during the normal mode of operation, in a preferred form, and therefore only used in a default mode of operation. The MMU 14 also has a page address translation unit which is used to translate logical addresses to physical addresses, which is illustrated in FIG. 1 via the circuitry 11. The units 12 and 14 are connected to an external memory 26 via an external address bus. A bi-directional data bus is connected between the external memory 26 and the pipeline unit 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1. In many cases, the address bus and data bus go through logic such as input drivers, output driver I/O drivers, bus control circuitry, cache units, and the like which are not illustrated in FIG. 1 for simplicity. Unit 14 is also connected to the external memory 26 via a plurality of attribute signals. The pipeline unit 12 receives data from the memory 26 and the unit 14 provides address and access control information to the memory 26. The pipeline unit 12 determines that an access to memory 26 is required. An internal logical address is provided to the MMU 14 as illustrated. The MMU 14 first compares the privilege mode and the logical address, via a comparator unit 20, to the privilege mode and a block of logical addresses defined by TTR 16 and to the privilege mode and the block of logical addresses defined by TTR 18. In a preferred form, unit 20 is a parallel compare unit, although many serial compare units exist in the art and may be used with TTR 16 and TTR 18. If either TTR 16 or TTR 18 is matched via the comparator unit 20, the logical address is used as a physical address for the memory access. In addition, a multiplexer (MUX) 24 which is controlled by the output of the comparator unit 20, passes the set of access control attribute bits stored in the matched TTR (either TTR 16 or TTR 18) to the memory 26 via a plurality of attribute data lines. If neither TTR 16 or 18 is matched, and MMU 14 is operating in the normal mode, the page address translation unit 11 is invoked to perform a physical address translation of the logical address and the output of the MUX 24 is ignored for the memory access. If neither TTR is matched, and the MMU 14 is operating in the default mode, the set of access control bits stored in a programmer visible default access control register 22 is used for the access. Once the physical address and the set of access control attributes has been received by the external memory 26, the external memory 26 provides a plurality of data bits to the pipeline unit 12 via the data bus in response to the external physical address. In a preferred form, the set of access control attribute bits stored in TTR 16, TTR 18, and the default access control register (default storage) 22 comprise a set of cache mode bits, a set of user page attribute bits, and a data write access protection bit. It is important to note that if the default access control register 22 did not exist, and the MMU 14 is operating in the default mode, flexible access control could not be provided over the unmapped space in the event of a TTR miss (i.e. no address hit in either TTR 16 or TTR 18). It is also important to note that if the default access control register 22 did not exist, and the MMU 14 is operating in the default mode, data write access protection could not be provided over the unmapped space in the event of a TTR miss. FIG. 2 illustrates another data processing system having a processor 28 which is connected to an external memory 50 via a plurality of address and data lines. The processor 28 has a pipeline unit 30 and two independent memory cache units: an instruction cache unit (ICU) 48 and an operand data cache unit (OCU) 66. Unit 30 is used to execute instructions within the processor 28 and operates in one of two levels of privilege: supervisor mode or user mode. The ICU 48 and the OCU 66 are connected to unit 30 via a plurality of address and data lines. The ICU 48 is used to retain copies of recently prefetched instruction data for quick access by the pipeline unit 30. The OCU 66 is used to retain copies of recently fetched operand data for quick access by the pipeline unit 30. Data stored in the ICU 48 and the OCU 66 can be provided to unit 30, simultaneously, and faster than it can be provided by the external memory 50. Therefore, ICU 48 and OCU 66 are used for the purpose of throughput improvement of instruction data and operand data accesses. Processor 28 also has a first transparent translation register (TTR) 34 and a second transparent translation register 36 which are used to define blocks of logical addresses to be used as physical addresses during the prefetching of instruction data, and a third transparent translation register 54 and a fourth transparent translation register 56 which are used to define blocks of logical addresses to be used as physical addresses during operand data accesses. In a preferred form, each TTR 34, 36, 54, and 56 comprises a logical address base field, a logical address mask field, a privilege mode bit, and a plurality of access control attribute bits which include a set of cache mode bits, a set of user page attribute bits, and a data write access protection bit. The pipeline unit 30 determines that an instruction data access and/or an operand data access to the ICU 48 and/or the OCU 58 is required. If an instruction data access is required, a logical address 32 (divided into upper and lower bit portions) is provided to the ICU 48 and a comparator circuit 42. The logical address 32 is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion as illustrated. The comparator circuit 42 is used to compare the privilege mode and the upper portion of the logical address to the privilege mode bit and the logical address base bits stored in TTR 34 and to the privilege mode bit and the logical address base bits stored in TTR 36. A mask circuit 38 uses the logical address mask bits stored in TTR 34 to determine which bits of the logical address base field of TTR 34 are ignored during the comparison. If a logical address mask bit in TTR 34 is set, the corresponding logical address base bit in TTR 34 is ignored during the comparison. In a similar manner, the mask circuit 40 uses the logical address mask bits stored in TTR 36 to determine which bits of the logical address base field of TTR 36 are ignored during the comparison. If either TTR 34 or TTR 36 is matched a selector circuit 44, which is controlled by the output of the comparator circuit 42, passes the set of access control attribute bits stored in the matched TTR to the ICU 48 via a plurality of data lines. If neither TTR is matched, the selector circuit 44 passes the set of access control bits 46a stored in a programmer visible default access control register 46 to the ICU 48. Using the logical address as a physical address, the ICU 48 searches for cache data within its memory banks in response to the physical address. If found, the ICU 48 supplies the data to the pipeline unit 30 via a plurality of data lines. If the data is not found within the ICU 48, the ICU 48 requests an external memory access and passes the access control attribute bits to the external memory 50 via a plurality of data lines. If an operand data access is required, a logical address 52 is provided to the OCU 66 and the comparator circuit 62. The logical address 52 is divided into a similar manner to the logical address 32. The comparator circuit 62 is used to compare the privilege mode and the upper portion of the logical address to the privilege mode bit and the logical address base bits stored in TTR 54 and to the privilege mode bit and the logical address base bits stored in TTR 56. A mask circuit 58 uses the logical address mask bits stored in TTR 54 to determine which bits of the logical address base field of TTR 54 are ignored during the comparison. If an logical address mask bit in TTR 54 is set, the corresponding logical address base bit in TTR 54 is ignored during the comparison. In a similar manner, the mask circuit 60 uses the logical address mask bits stored in TTR 56 to determine which bits of the logical address base field of TTR 56 are ignored during the comparison. If either TTR 54 or TTR 56 is matched a selector circuit 64, which is controlled by the output of the comparator circuit 62, passes the set of access control attribute bits stored in the matched TTR to the OCU 66 via a plurality of data lines. If neither TTR is matched, the selector circuit 64 passes a set of access control bits 46b stored in the programmer visible default access control register 46 to the OCU 66. Using the logical address as a physical address, the OCU 66 searches for cache data within its memory banks in response to the physical address. If found, the OCU 66 supplies the data to the pipeline unit 30 via a plurality of data lines. If the data is not found within the OCU 66, the OCU 66 requests an external memory access and passes the access control attribute bits to the external memory 50 via a plurality of data lines. Once the physical address and the set of access control attributes has been received by the external memory 50, the external memory 50 provides a plurality of data bits to the unit 30 via a data bus in response to the physical address. It is important to note again that if the default access control register 46 did not exist, flexible access control and/or write access protection could not be provided over the unmapped space in the event of a TTR miss. It is also important to note that a single default access control register can provide memory access control in a system with independent instruction and operand memory cache units. The default access control register 46 contains a write protection bit, is accessed independent of the user or supervisor mode, and is programmable and therefore very flexible. FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart which describes a method used by the processors 10 and/or 28 to provide memory access control. A step 100 indicates that the pipeline unit 12 and/or 30 is processing an instruction in one of two privilege modes (supervisor or user), needs to perform a normal memory access, and provides a logical address to the MMU 14 and/or the comparator circuits 42 and 62. A step 102 indicates that the privilege mode and the upper portion of the logical address (see logical addresses 32 and 52 of FIG. 2) are compared, via the compare unit 20 or compare units 42 and 62, to the privilege modes and the blocks of logical address defined by the TTRs 16 and 18 or TTRs 34, 36, 54, and 56. A step 104 indicates that the MUX 24 or the selector circuits 44 and 64 determine, based on the results from the comparisons performed in step 102, which set of access control attribute bits should be used for the access. Step 104 also implies that the MMU 14 is operating in the default mode. If a TTR miss is detected in step 104, then a step 106 is performed. In step 106, the MUX 24 selects a set of access control attribute bits stored in a default access control register 22. If a TTR hit is detected in step 104, in a step 108 the MUX 24 selects the set of access control attribute bits stored in the matching TTR for the access. In a step 110, the MUX 24 supplies the selected attributes to an external memory 26 and the memory access is completed. FIG. 4 illustrated a preferred bit format used in FIGs. 1-3 for the TTRs 16, 18, 34, 36, 54, and 56. FIG. 4 illustrates a transparent translation register (TTR) (preferably having 32 bits) which has several bit fields and bit values described below: LOGICAL ADDRESS BASE: This 8-bit field is compared with the eight higher-order bits of the logical address during the privilege mode and logical address comparison and is utilized in the MMU default mode of operation. LOGICAL ADDRESS MASK: This 8-bit field is used as a mask for the logical address base field. When a bit in this field is set, the corresponding bit in the logical address base field is ignored during the privilege mode and logical address comparison. E - ENABLE: This bit enables and/or disables the TTR register. A disabled TTR is completely ignored during the privilege mode and logical address comparison in the MMU default mode. S - SUPERVISOR/USER MODE: This field specifies the privilege mode to be matched during the privilege mode and logical address comparison. U - USER PAGE ATTRIBUTES U1, U0: These bits are not interpreted by the processor 10 and/or 28 but are echoed to a UPA1 pin and a UPA0 pin on the processor 10 and/or 28 during a normal memory access, respectively. The UPA1 may be used as a chip select in some designs. CM - CACHE MODE: This 2-bit field is used to select the cache mode for a normal memory access. The CM field allows for four states wherein one state is a cacheable writethrough state, a second state is a cacheable copyback state, a third state is a cache inhibited state, precise exception model, and a fourth state is a cache inhibited state, imprecise exception model. W - WRITE PROTECT: This bit indicates if a memory address space is write protected. If set, write and read-modify-write accesses are not permitted to all addresses within the protected address space. FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred bit format used in FlGs. 1-3 for the default bit portions 44a and 44b in FIG. 2. These bits are described below: DCO - DEFAULT OPERAND CACHE MODE: This 2-bit field functions in a similar manner to the CM field of the TTR of FIG. 4. DUO - DEFAULT OPERAND User Page Attributes: This 2-bit field functions in a similar manner to the U1 and U0 bits in the TTR of FIG. 4. DCI - DEFAULT INSTRUCTION CACHE MODE: This 2-bit field functions in a similar manner to the DCO field. DUI - DEFAULT INSTRUCTION User Page Attributes: This 2-bit field functions in a similar manner to the DUO field. DWO - WRITE PROTECT: This bit functions in a similar manner to the W bit in the TTR of FIG. 4. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing memory access control in a data processing system. With such a method and apparatus, the flexible default address mapping of a logical address to a physical address can be provided. The invention described here may be compared to other known and documented methods of providing a default address mapping of a logical address to a physical address. With these other methods, the default access control attributes bits are stored in separate registers wherein one register is used for user accesses only and the other register is used for supervisor accesses only. The problem with this method is that it requires the segmenting of the logical address space into supervisor and user spaces, since otherwise, the supervisor space cannot be protected from unauthorized accesses by user programs. The invention solves this problem by disregarding the privilege mode in providing the default address mapping for a given memory access. Therefore, the integrated circuit used less substrate surface area and speed is improved. In addition, to protect the supervisor space from unauthorized user program accesses that may result in the corruption of data, optional write access protection is also provided. While the present invention had been shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, further modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. For example, a variety of MMU's, for which the present invention may provide a default address mapping capability, exist in the art wherein the MMU may contain any number of the following: a page address translation cache (ATC), a block address translation cache, a transparent translation register or any other type of address translation facility. Bus bit sizes may vary depending on design constraints. In addition the bit fields and control signals described herein may be either a single bit or a plurality of bits. Zero, one, or more caches may be used in a system. Many different methods of encoding and decoding logical addresses exist in the art and all may be used herein as a logical address. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular forms shown.

Claims: A data processor (10) having a memory management unit (14) with at least two modes of operation, one mode of operation being a normal mode of operation wherein a logical address is translated to a physical address, and a second mode of operation being a default mode of operation wherein the logical address is used as the physical address, the data processor having two privilege modes wherein the two privileged modes provide data protection, the data processor comprising : circuitry (12) within the data processor for providing, to the memory management unit, a logical address; said data processor being characterized by : a first transparent translation register (16), within the memory management unit, which contains write protection information to protect data in memory; a second transparent translation register (18), within the memory management unit, which contains write protection information to protect data in memory; compare circuitry (20) for receiving the logical address, the compare circuitry being coupled to both the first transparent translation register and the second transparent translation register, the compare circuitry comparing a first predetermined number of bits in the logical address to a second predetermined number of bits in each of the first and second transparent translation registers and asserting a control signal if the first predetermined number of bits in the logical address equals the second predetermined number of bits in one of the first and second transparent translation registers, the compare circuitry functioning in the default mode of operation; a default storage location (22), within the memory management unit, for storing a plurality of control attribute bits, the default storage location having an output for providing the plurality of control attribute bits regardless of the privilege mode of the data processor, the control attribute bits in the default storage location including write protection information used to protect data in memory when the first and second transparent translation registers do not provide write protection information; and a selector circuit (24) having a first input for receiving the write protection information from the first transparent translation register, having a second input for receiving the write protection information from the second transparent translation register, and having a third input coupled for receiving the write protection information from the default storage location, the selector circuit being coupled to the control signal wherein the control signal is used to determine the output of the selector circuit wherein the output of the selector circuit is the bits of one of either the first input, the second input, or the third input, to ensure write protection when the selector circuit is functioning in the default mode of operation. A method for providing memory access control in a data processing system having a memory management unit with at least two modes of operation, one mode of operation being a normal mode of operation wherein a logical address is translated to a physical address, and a second mode of operation being a default mode of operation wherein the logical address is used as the physical address, the data processing system having at least two processor privilege modes of operation, the method comprising the step of: providing a logical address to the memory management unit within the data processor; said method being characterized by the steps of: selectively comparing a portion of the logical address to a predetermined number of bits within a first transparent translation register, and asserting a first control signal if the portion of the logical address is equal to the predetermined number of bits within the first transparent translation register; selectively comparing a portion of the logical address to a predetermined number of bits within a second transparent translation register, and asserting a second control signal if the portion of the logical address is equal to the predetermined number of bits within the second transparent translation register; and selecting, based on one of either the first control signal or the second control signal, control attribute bits from the first transparent translation register, control attribute bits from the second transparent translation register, or control attribute bits from a default storage location wherein the default storage location provides control attribute bits regardless of processor privilege mode, the control attribute bits of each of the first transparent translation register, the second transparent translation register and the default storage location containing write protection bits as part of the control attribute bits to protect memory accesses when operating in the default mode of operation. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of: disabling one of either the first or second transparent translation registers before performing the steps of selectively comparing. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of: masking the predetermined number of bits within a first transparent translation register via a predetermined number of masking bits, the masking bits allowing less than the predetermined number of bits within a first transparent translation register to be compared in the first step of selectively comparing. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of: writing a value to the default storage location before the step of selecting. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of: writing a bit value to the default storage location before the step of selecting, the bit value indicating a write protection status of at least one memory access made by the data processor.

Inventors: PARMET ART, REVILLA JUAN GUILLERMO, PARMET, ART, REVILLA, JUAN GUILLERMO
Applicants: MOTOROLA INC, MOTOROLA, INC.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G06F12
IPC codes: G06F12